Easy Homemade Cream of Tomato Soup Recipe

I love warm soup on a cold winter day. It makes the day seem cozier as if everything is right with the world. I like soup even better when I don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen preparing it. This hearty homemade Cream of Tomato Soup recipe is a staple in my kitchen. It’s quick, easy, and tastes so good.

Easy Cream of Tomato Soup recipe
Updated with new tips and easy directions!

Easy Homemade Cream of Tomato Soup

Our cream of tomato soup recipe was one of my childhood favorites. Served with a grilled cheese sandwich or cheese biscuits, it was comfort food at its finest. When I had to begin our gluten-free cooking journey this was a recipe I could turn to as it is naturally gluten-free.

Substitutions

  • This soup can easily be made Lacto-vegetarian by substituting vegetable broth for the chicken broth. 
  • While this soup can easily be made all year using canned tomatoes, fresh tomatoes can be substituted when they are in season. Use 7 cups of peeled and diced tomatoes, along with their juice.
  • Want a chunkier version? Use 2 cans of whole undrained tomatoes.
  • For a creamier, smoother version, use 2 cans of crushed tomatoes.
  • You can experiment to find the mixture of crushed, diced, or whole tomatoes that your family will love.
  • Want a spicier version? Add in a can of diced tomatoes with chilies (Like Ro-tel.)
cream-of-tomato-soup-recipe

What Can You Use Instead of Heavy Cream?

  • Make your own heavy cream by combining 3/4 cup whole milk with 1/4 cup melted butter. Do this for each cup of cream called for in a recipe.
  • If you want to make a vegan version of heavy cream, you can combine 1/3 cup olive oil with 2/3 cup soy milk.
  • Another vegan option for heavy cream is to combine 1/2 cup silken tofu with 1/2 cup soy milk.
  • Want a lower-fat version of heavy cream that can be used in soups? Use any of these ideas:
  • Substitute an equal amount of half-and-half for heavy cream.
  • Use an equal amount of cottage cheese and low-fat milk. Place the mixture in a blender and pulse until all the lumps are removed.
  • Use Greek yogurt thinned with enough low-fat milk to make a sauce.
sauteed onions

Preparation and Cooking Tips

  • Use a sweet onion, like Vidalia or Walla Walla for the mildest onion flavor.
  • Use an immersion blender after the soup has finished simmering for a smooth and creamy finish.
  • I used unsalted butter in the recipe. If you use salted butter, adjust the amount of salt to your taste.
  • Need Italian Seasoning? Use our Italian Seasoning recipe to make your own.

Printable Recipe

Easy Homemade Cream of Tomato Soup Recipe

Recipe by Pam
Servingsservings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Calorieskcal

Ingredients

  • 1 stick butter

  • 1 medium onion, diced

  • 2 cups chicken broth

  • 2 cans (28-ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained

  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

  • 1 tablespoon sugar, optional

  • 2 cups heavy-whipping cream

Directions

  • In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and cook until onions are soft and translucent, stirring occasionally, around 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Add chicken broth, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and sugar, if using. Stir until blended. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to simmer. Slowly stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally.

How to Choose Fresh Tomatoes for Soup:

  • Pick a firm tomato with smooth skin.
  • Avoid tomatoes that have bruises, blemishes, dark spots, or cracks.
  • Tomatoes should feel heavy and full. Avoid tomatoes that feel light and squishy.

Our creamy tomato soup is a hit with our family. I hope it will be a favorite of your family as well. What is your favorite soup for a cold evening?


You Might Like These Posts:

35 Comments

  1. Made from scratch tomato soup? Si, Por favor and Gracias! Pinned and looking forward to trying.

  2. I’ve never had cream of tomato soup. It’s definitely something i”m overdue to try.

  3. OH MAN! You have just made my day! Tomato soup is my favorite dish. Ever! Thanks for posting the easy recipe. Can’t wait to give this a try!

  4. OMG. I absolutely love tomato soup! I have never tried to make my own before though. Would love to try this recipe.

  5. That looks delicious! A perfect meal on a cold winter day.

  6. My mom makes her tomato soup home made and I’ve always wanted to try it myself. I can’t wait to try your recipe and surprise her with a bowl.

  7. This recipe is really easy and sounds so warm on a cold winter day! My husband would love to have this with his grilled cheese for dinner, i can’t wait to try it!

  8. This seems easy enough to make, we love tomato soup. Love that it looks pretty thick too, a nice thick and hearty soup is perfect for cold winter days!

  9. Yum! This is so needed today. Its dark and gloomy out, and we have all been loving soups. Would love to give this one a try, looks tasty!

  10. This is the perfect time of the year to make homemade soup. This recipe looks delicious and easy to make. I will have to give it try this weekend.

  11. This looks almost like a bisque. My husband would love it.

  12. It looks so tasty and comforting! Would love to try this for dinner!

  13. This soup sounds so amazing! Both my husband and I love tomato soup but are loathe to by store canned soup. I can’t wait to make this fantastic alternative.

  14. This recipe for creamed tomato soups sounds delicious. We love having grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup so I will have to try this recipe. I have not made creamed tomato soup in so long. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

  15. I haven’t had tomato soup since I was a child, but I remember how delicious it was! Thanks for reviving my memory of an old family favourite. I will have to cook it up for my little one.

  16. This is my absolute favorite soup and I love that you include using vegetarian broth — can’t wait to try and whip this up for dinner!

  17. This soup so yummy and perfect for cold days! I am going to make this next week!

  18. Oh my gosh, this looks and sound so good. Tomato is one of my very favorite soups. I have never even considered making it myself.

  19. I would love to pair this with a grilled cheese sandwich. This looks delicious!

  20. Classic tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich is my ultimate winter comfort meal. This recipe sounds both super easy and super delicious!

  21. Tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich–that was my favorite on a cold day when I was a kid. Can’t wait to try your recipe.

  22. I have never tried making my own tomato soup before but I sure do love a good tomato soup.
    It’s a family favourite in this house for sure. Can’t wait to try it!

  23. I love a good tomato soup and this one looks absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to try this recipe. I know my family will love it!

  24. A couple of years ago, my garden at home yield so much tomatoes that I tried making tomato soup. It turned our=t really well and I have been making it since.

  25. Sounds yummy, I’ve never had tomato soup although I hear others rave about it. I will give this a try for the kids and I.

  26. Tomato soup is the one that I LOVE the most! I never thought of putting in chicken broth, but I am going to try this next!

  27. That’s a tasty looking recipe. Up here in Chicagoland, it’s grossly cold, so this would be nice to warm us all up.

  28. I cannot wait to try this! Tomato soup is a big favorite here during the winter months. Thanks for sharing this!

  29. I have use to love tomato soup, I haven’t had it in a long time, but it looks really good. I may have to make me some again. Thank you for sharing.

  30. It is a cool, rainy day here today. This soup would be perfect to curl up to and enjoy while looking at the rain falling. I am a huge soup fan, too, so thanks for the recipe!

  31. I love cream of tomato! This is a lovely recipe for winter meals.

  32. I love tomato soup. Unfortunately I don’t like the chunks of tomato lol. I may have to try this with just the tomato sauce and see how that works.

  33. As popular as tomato soup I’ve never tried it. I know it is best pair with grilled cheese. I will have to make this over the weekend for the kids and I.

  34. Making tomato soup really doesn’t take much time at all. Nothing else make it the night before and serve the next day. The flavors combine that much more. Grilled cheese is a must with tomato soup. Makes for a fast and great meal.

  35. robin masshole mommy

    My husband is going to love this. Grilled cheese and tomato soup is his all time favorite meal!